Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable John Lewis was shot and killed in Ardmore, Oklahoma, by a subject who was illegally carrying a pistol.
Constable Lewis had disarmed the man but did not arrest him. The man then returned after retrieving his rifle and located Constable Lewis on Main Street. He then shot Constable Lewis after the constable refused to return the pistol.
Despite being wounded, Constable Lewis returned fire after falling to the ground but did not strike the man. The subject was arrested and charged with murder.
Because the killer was an Indian he was transferred to Paris, Texas, where the Chickasaw Government would prosecute him. On August 17, 1894, he was released after posting a $1500.00 bond. He came back to Johnson County carrying the same rifle he shot Constable Lewis with. He was tried for murder in 1896. Result unknown.
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- April 2, 2026
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- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Constable Lewis served with the Johnston County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Tishomingo community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Johnson Lewis is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Johnson Lewis's cause is highlighted.
How Johnson Lewis Compares
Offender Outcome
Charged with murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Johnson Lewis is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Johnson Lewis was killed by rifle; winchester.